Impact Evaluation of PACS Implementation in Minia Oncology Center 2019-2021, Ministry of Health and Population Egypt: A Retrospective Study

Abstract

Background: The Picture Archiving and Communication System (PACS) plays a critical role in modern healthcare by preserving and retrieving medical images. To the best of our knowledge, this study stands as the first of its kind conducted within the Egyptian healthcare landscape, aiming to evaluate the transformative effects of PACS in an oncology setting specifically in the Minia Oncology Center. This study highlights the primary objective of PACS which lies in enhancing the routing, retrieval, and display capabilities of medical images within radiology departments. The PACS acts as a centralized repository for imaging data and reports. The transition from film-based imaging to PACS-based digital systems signifies a paradigm shift in healthcare, leveraging technological advancements to enhance patient care, streamline operations, and optimize resource utilization. Methods: Minia Oncology Centers is a governmental center and it belongs to the Ministry of Health and Population at Upper Egypt. It provides a lot of medical, surgical, and diagnostic oncological services for the Minia governorate population. The study involved a comparative analysis of various metrics pre and post-PACS implementation. Descriptive statistics such as means, standard deviations, and percentages were calculated to assess changes in image retrieval times, report delivery intervals, and cost-related variables. Results: The results of this study vividly demonstrate the transformative impact of PACS implementation within the Minia Oncology Center's radiology department. The PACS significantly enhanced workflow efficiency, substantially reduced image-reporting delivery times for routine and emergency cases, and notably streamlined patient data management. The statistical assessments conducted, including paired t-tests and chi-square tests, underscored the significance and reliability of these observed improvements post-PACS implementation. This is translated into better patient care and marked cost reductions associated with film-based systems. Conclusion: This study provides compelling evidence of PACS's substantial impact on the Minia Oncology Center's radiology department. The system's implementation resulted in improved workflow efficiency, faster image retrieval, and enhanced collaboration among healthcare professionals. The PACS not only facilitated better patient care through improved diagnostic accuracy but also significantly reduced operational costs associated with traditional film-based imaging methods.